Topline
China’s military on Wednesday said it had carried out “multi-service joint combat readiness patrols” near Taiwan while officials in Taipei made an effort to highlight their growing security ties with Washington, a set of moves that come amid growing fears of Chinese military action to take control of the island.
The Chinese military says it carried out a combat readiness exercise near Taiwan in response to … [+]
Key Facts
In its statement (translated by Reuters), the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command said the patrols took place in the past few days as a response to what they claim is “U.S.-Taiwan collusion.”
The command accused the U.S. of “instigating support” for Taiwanese independence forces and warned that it was pushing the island—which Beijing claims as part of its territory—into a “dangerous situation.”
The statement makes no mention of the exact date or scope of these patrols but earlier this week Taipei reported an incursion of 30 Chinese combat aircraft into its air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
The Chinese military’s statement comes on the same day Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) concluded a visit to Taiwan in which she held a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen.
On Tuesday, Tsai said the Pentagon was planning on establishing cooperation between Taiwan’s defense forces and the U.S. National Guard although the ambit of this cooperation remains unclear.
Crucial Quote
“Taiwan is part of China. The troops in the theater will continue to strengthen military training and preparations, improve their ability to perform their missions, and resolutely thwart any external forces’ interference and separatist attempts by those supporting Taiwanese independence,” the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command said in its statement.
Key Background
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has raised fears of Beijing undertaking military action to gain control of the Taiwanese island. Such an invasion does not appear to be imminent–Chinese officials have indicated that the use of force to take control of Taiwan is considered a “last resort” and Beijing continues to seek peaceful reunification. However, diplomatic tensions regarding this issue were inflamed last week after President Joe Biden said in a press conference that the U.S. would be willing to use military force to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, in a departure from the longstanding U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity on the issue. Biden said that while Washington has agreed to a “one China” policy—which considers Taiwan as an integral part of China—it will not allow the island to be taken by force. Taipei responded to the statement by thanking Biden, however, Beijing was not pleased. The Chinese foreign ministry reacted with “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to Biden’s statement and warned that China will not compromise on its territorial integrity.
Further Reading
China says it conducted ‘readiness patrol’ around Taiwan (Reuters)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/06/01/china-carries-out-readiness-patrol-near-taiwan-as-taipei-touts-growing-cooperation-with-washington/